Imagine a cookie that combines the warm, comforting spices of gingerbread with the creamy richness of cream cheese and a burst of fruity jam – sounds irresistible, right? These Spiced Cream Cheese Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies are about to become your new holiday obsession! Perfect for cookie exchanges, festive gatherings, or those quiet moments when you need a little sweet escape, these cookies are guaranteed to elevate your baking game and impress everyone who takes a bite.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup jam (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Whisk together until well combined and set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Using your hands, form the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press down in the center of each dough ball to create a well for the jam filling.
- Fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of your choice of jam. You can use raspberry, apricot, or any flavor you prefer.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, serve the Spiced Cream Cheese Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies as a delightful treat or store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest mixture.
- When creating the thumbprint, use the back of a measuring spoon for a more uniform well.
- Don't overmix the dough – this can lead to tough cookies.
- Choose a high-quality jam with good flavor, as it's a key component of the cookie.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess.
- For a festive touch, try using different colored jams to match the holiday season.
- If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before forming balls.
- Use a light touch when pressing the thumbprints to avoid cracking the dough.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 85kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
